Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In early August my daughter and I flew to California to meet the couple who adopted their daugh-ter from China at the same time my youngest daughter, Lily, be-came ours. In fact Paul and Tricia met Lily before Cathy and I ar-rived at the meeting center lo-cated in the city of Changsha, the fireworks capital of China—appropriate in light of Hong Kong’s ceding to the mainland during our visit--and a bustling city in Hunan Province. Lily greeted all the expectant parents as they met their Chinese children for the first time. My daughter waved and blew kisses, which may indeed portend a move into politics at some later date (let’s hope not). Paul and Tricia photo-graphed, and videoed Lily as well as some of the other children who were adopted, and also spent time gathering addresses so that, in the future, we could meet on occasion to celebrate our mutual joys in bringing our ‘Hunan Shrimps’ back to America.

On Sunday, August 11, six of the children who were adopted and their parents met in Paul’s back-yard for a barbecue. Apart from Paul I hadn’t seen the other par-ents and their brood since ’97.

Paul sponsored several reunions, but this was the first for Lily and myself. Most of our daughters were entering their Junior or Sen-ior year in high school, and seemed excited to see one an-other again. Lily felt at home and hugs were extended at the end of a meaningful afternoon. Pho-tos were taken of the daughters in the same order in which pic-tures were snapped on the day of their adoption. Time fleets.

Our week long adventure seemed for me a God-given meditation on community and the nature and meaning of family. Indeed it seemed at every turn I was re-minded as Jesus once mentioned, that family extends far beyond biological connection. After

adopting Sophia in ’97, Paul and Tricia became involved in working to improve hospitals and orphan-ages in China. Because Tricia’s business takes her to that coun-try she was able to connect with other Americans who were mak-ing a difference. Specifically she and Paul volunteered under the auspices of Half the Sky organiza-tion, a nonprofit founded by American Ginny Bowen. Half the Sky reaches out to improve the setting, and life of more than 50 orphanages in China. On one oc-casion Paul and Tricia were intro-duced to a little girl who had spina bifida. They wanted to adopt her, but couldn’t for a vari-ety of reasons. Ginny mentioned that there was another little girl who was disabled by a life threat-ening throat condition. Paul and Tricia wanted to meet Suji, al-though they wondered whether they could adopt another child—Paul and Tricia are my age! Would they have the energy re-quired for a second daughter? Of course they did.

A whiz on the internet, Paul con-tacted the States to see if there were any physicians who were skilled in the girl’s disease, and discovered that the leading spe-cialist resided in Palo Alto, their

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HURLEY REFORMED CHURCH

THE SPIRE

SEPTEMBER 2013 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7

PAGE 2 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7

eSpire: In order to save money and reduce our impact on the environment, you may receive The

Spire by Email. Please request electronic distribution by sending your request to

TheSpire@HurleyReformedChurch.org. If you no longer wish to receive the Spire please let us know at

the same email address and we will remove you from our mailing list.

backyard. They brought 6 year old Suji to the West Coast, and she was treated and healed. The only indication of a difficult medical past is that her voice is soft and has a raspy edge which both Lily and I find charming, especially in our stridently loud talk-talk society. In her six year orphanage experi-ence Suji only said four words—again and again: “Where is My Mommy?” Emotional and spiritual healing began when Tricia answered, ”Suji, I am your Mommy and Daddy and I love you dearly.” Tricia and Paul were not convinced that a second adoption was in store, but after they met this little one, there was no hesitation. Suji joined her older sister, Sophia, the beautiful Chinese contingent of the Hancock clan. When we first met, Suji gave both Lily and myself the warmest hugs.

During our week we came upon two more adoptive situations which caused me to do some theological thinking about the way God works. The first oc-curred when Suji and Lily visited Tricia’s dress shop in Los Gatos. They were accompanied Suji’s best friend Amanda. Lily’s eyes grew wide when Amanda announced that she, too, was an adoptee. The Hancock’s area is 60% Asian, and Amanda is Caucasian. I think Lily believed that only Chinese were adopted in that neck of the woods. Amanda and Lily hit it off because both are tall, and love to play volleyball. Amanda related that she had met her mother when she was six. Christine has spent what free time she has volunteering time and ef-fort to relieve the suffering in places like Haiti. Be-cause she travels her life is hectic, and, since she is single, she had no thought of ever having, or adopting a child. Her resolution disappeared, how-ever, when six year old Amanda wrapped her arms around her, and pleaded, “Will you be my Mommy?” Her new role was cemented when Amanda added, “Nobody wants me.” Christine can

laugh about the situation, and say, “What choice did I have? Amanda was meant to be mine.”

Several days before Lily and I left, we were invited, along with the Hancocks, to meet a young couple who had just adopted a boy from Ethiopia. Abel is a year old and possesses a shock of curly hair and a new toothy smile accompanied by the requisite drool. His mother, Daniela, noted that being his mother creates joy beyond she and her husband’s imagining. They continue to return to Ethiopia not simply because it is their son’s place of birth, but because, through his wide, reflective infant eyes, they have come to love the people there. They feel as much a part of Ethiopian society as they do on the West Coast of America.

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Our Mission Project During September, please use your mis-

sion envelope or one in the pew to support The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. During 2012 the Food Bank was able to provide over 10 million pounds of food to more than 390 charitable organi-zations in the Hudson Valley who provide nutritious food to families in need. The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is a responsi-ble steward of the funds that they receive and for every dollar donated the value of seven (7) meals are given to a hungry neighbor through various lo-cal food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters. Thanks for helping those less fortunate than our-selves. ~Linda Dux, Missions Chair

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Prayer Chain: We did not meet

for the months of July and August but this is September and we will be meeting on the 8th after ser-vice. Although not meeting, we were still busy doing God's work as we continued to pray for all we were and are duty bound to pray for. Hope all of you had a safe and won-derful summer!

~Deb Zuill

Fellowship continues each week after our worship service in Schadewald Hall. We have enjoyed an array of goodies provided by our members. Please consider sponsoring our Coffee Hour one Sunday by providing refreshments. Why not ask someone to do it with you? See Terry Gaffken for more information or call the office. Sign up sheet is above the coffee pot.

"Magnificent E’s" Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:00pm and Wed., Sept. 11 at 7:30am. We will study the ministries of Elijah and Elisha as pre-sented in 1 and 2 Kings. We will pay at-

tention to their contexts as well as their proclamation, and how their understanding of prophetic vocation is similar and dissimilar to later prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. We will also discuss how their stance toward corruption in government and religion informs contem-porary understanding of our roles in society. We will then study the Book of Jeremiah paying attention to his psychological underpinnings as well as the context of his message.

Dr. Bob has provided a written introduction to this study which is available in the church office. The ex-cerpts are from Abraham Heschel’s book, “The Proph-ets.”

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Handicapped Accessibility

Project Update

Lift/Bathroom Updates

Dave Giles, Coordinator

As you enter Schadewald Hall you can clearly see that much progress has been made. The glass enclosure for the lift is almost complete and the lift should be operational within 1 to 2 weeks. The new restroom for those needing assistance because of disabilities has been completed. Both projects are impressive to see but more importantly will serve the disabled mem-bers and citizens of our Community.

The original boy's restroom has been renovated and should be completed within 1 to 2 weeks. New walls were erected to cover the old tiles and a new tile floor was also installed. All of this work was required because of the construction of the new ADA rest-room. The girl's restroom is also in sad shape. Hope-fully, there will be funding for a similar renovation In the old girl's restroom.

It's enrollment time for the 2013-2014 Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities. Enrollment forms online or can be picked up at Kingston Library. All free and age does not matter. College level courses are held every Tues. and Thurs. night 6-8 at Kingston Library during the academic year. Exercise your intellect with a very diverse student body and the most amazing, talented, and non-judgmental PhD level instructors you'll ever meet. They will do everything possible to help you succeed. Six Bard credits await you on completion.

Subject matter....philosophy, literature, writing, art history, and American history. Need more details? Google “Bard Clemente Course” or talk to or email Gene Groelle at gro226@aol.com.

I would like to thank my "Crew" for another great per-formance in our re-enacting of Sojourner Truth's Inter-view with “Brian Newswor-thy” (Hal Hauck) and her fa-mous speech, with “Mrs. Gage” (Shirley Ruth), “the Minister” (Rev. Gram), “the Announcer,” Elizabeth Askue, and standing in for Pat Baker, Lee Gable, who was a mem-ber of the Women's Confer-

ence in Ohio. Thanks to the audience who were great in their participation! Great fun was had by all!! We have 3 future engagements! ~Deb Zuill aka Sojourner Truth

Senior Choir

Rehearsal Thursdays at 7:30 starting Sept. 12. New voices are always welcome.

In May 14 cell phones and acces-sories from our box in Schadewald Hall were donated to

Cell Phones for Soldiers. In June the recycling pro-gram yielded $95.00 for Mental Health Association in Ulster County for the first six months in 2013.

The Men's Prayer

and Fellowship

Group will resume

their weekly meetings on Wed. Sept. 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the Dutch Room. All men are invited.

Lifetouch is scheduled to take our Church’s Photos for the upcoming new Directory – hope you will come –Sept. 12, 13, 17, 18 from 2 to 9 PM, Sept. 14 from 10 to 5. All families will receive a free 8 x 10” portrait and a printed Directory. You can sign-up on-line at Hur-leyReformedChurch.org or sign-up at the table in Schadewald Hall af-ter Sunday Service.

Directory photographs of committees and groups that make up the life of the Hurley Church will be taken after worship Sept. 8th. Sunday School classes will be photographed during the last half hour of wor-ship on the 8th and the consistory photo will be taken at the Sept. 9th meeting. Any questions, call Debbie Tucker at 336-8191.

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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Bailey Jordan 3, ‘01 Halie Brennan 6, ’96 Elizabeth Mergl 10, ‘08 Daniella Helsley 14, ‘01 Madeline Fox 15, ‘12 Colin Rowdycz 18, ‘09 Tessa Hauck 19, ‘97 Marissa Rell 20, ‘06 Rachel Gardner 1 Lindsay Woodard 2 Cody Harder 2 Cindy Sumerano 3 Russ Glass 4 Melinda Herzog 6 Bradley Horvers 6 Wayzeta Stickley-Strouse 9 Fred Horvers 10 Phil Greer 17 Ron Every 19

Kellen Hauck 19 Jim Craven 20 Bradley Hill 22 Anna Goetchius 23 Helen Sgroi 24 Jim Mayfield 24 Alice Presti 24 Charles Woodard 24 Wendy Stickley-Ocker 26 Darrell Nicholas 27 Christina Longto 28 Debbie Decker 29 Sheila Craven 30

ANNIVERSARIES

Mark & Beth Woodard 2 Bill & Karen Hogg 4 Dennis & Mimi Croswell 11 Bill & Jane Merrill 13 John & Debbie Tucker 14 Jay & Kim Burgess 17 Lori & John Decker 22 Dennis & Donna Horvers 23 Dean & Bernadette Baker 23 Jean & Henry Dussol 24 Kyle Davenport Oct. 2, ‘01 Sandra Gregory 1 Lucas Hopper 2 Amy Ryan 2 Christa Conlin 3 Leigh Hill 4 Alissa Sumerano 5 Robin & Pat Brennan 10/3

SSSS unday School begins Sept. 8th. Classes for everyone,

from Pre K through Senior High. Invite your friends and neighbors to come along.

I returned to Hurley, the Promised Land!, with a re-newed appreciation of how many good, compas-sionate, and loving people there are in our country. The media too often skews the balance by report-ing events which make us despair of our fellow citi-zens. Yet my time in California confirmed the love which God imprints in the heart, and which provides the impetus for parents to bond with children who do not have a parental, or filial connection with any-one. I am also reminded of Jesus’ radical extension of family, which moves beyond the limitations of blood and genes. Early in his ministry Gospel writer Mark describes Jesus teaching and healing minis-tries in a small home. The place is crowded, so much so, that his mother and brothers can’t get in. A messenger tells Jesus that his family would like a word from him. Instead of going out to meet them he engages his immediate audience and states: “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

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My trip also afforded greater comprehension of what comprises good religion. Churches often place obsta-cles--needlessly I contend--on the path to Christian self-identification. Thus we may be advised that one can be a follower of Jesus only if we believe in the Virgin Birth, say, (see the above text which counters that idea!), the Trinity as it is propounded in Orthodox circles; every word in Scripture as inerrant rather than divinely inspired textually (the latter is the Reformed position), and other markers of Christian which breeds exclusivity rather than its opposite. I love those simple Scriptural statements which define what a Christian is in broader terms. One of my favorite biblical creeds comes from the book of James: “Religion which is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world”(1:27). Here are two succinct statements of faith which I love.

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

"God has told you, o Mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8

I saw several examples of deep caring for orphans which, I believe, gives glory to God as well as hope and redemption to our fractured world.

In Christ’s Service,

Doc Bob

(Dr. Bob published an article in the Church Herald (1998) about how Lily’s adoption came about, and the broader faith experience of visiting China. Copies are avail-able in Debbie’s office.)

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Women’s Guild

Kids are going back to school, leaves are starting to change color & the Guild is back in full swing.

Thank you to everyone for support-ing our quilt sale, bake sale & Grandma’s Garret during Stone House Day. We truly appreciate the support. Congratulations to Marilyn Cox’s daughter Delaney Cox who won the quilt this year. We already know what quilt pat-tern we will be working on for next year. Thank you to the ladies that work so very hard in creating these beautiful quilts year after year.

Just a reminder to bring a mum to church on 9/15. The mums will adorn the altar & then they will be planted around the church & parsonage. Any color. Any size. We ap-preciate all donations.

We have a meeting coming up on September 30 to plan our events & activities for the upcoming year. Hope you will be able to attend & don’t forget your calendars.

Did someone mention Christmas? Yes, that is correct we are already planning for the holidays which are right around the corner. We will sponsor Operation Christmas Child again this year, chaired by Sandie Gregory. See information on p. 8.

We welcome & invite all women of the church to be a part of the Women’s Guild. You don’t have to be a member of the church to be a part of the Women’s Guild. We meet right after church in the Dutch Room. Come & see what we are all about!

Sandy Emrich President

9/15/13 Bring mums to church 9/29/13 Meeting 10/20/13 Meeting 11/3/13 Sponsor Coffee Hour

O ur next Wine & Cheese gathering is Friday, Sept. 27 at 5:30 in the parsonage. “Lost Cities and Our Ancient Faith” slide show will show Christianity’s development in

Turkey. We will explore cities often off the tourist track and ancient religions which com-peted with Christianity in that part of the world. We will conclude with discussion on the early monastic movement in Turkey and the great theologians who thrived in desert re-gions. Sign up after worship in Schadewald Hall or call the office, 331-4121.

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It is with joy that the Consistory and

Congregation of the Hurley Reformed Church

invite you to celebrate the 40th Anniversary

of the ordination of our pastor

The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Gram, LCSW

As minister of the Word and Sacrament I

n the Reformed Church of America

October 19, 2013

Wiltwyck Country Club

Stewart Drive, Kingston, New York

Cocktails start at 6:00 P.M., cash bar Dinner is at 7:00 P.M.

The cost is $50.00 per person

Music performed by Bob’s favorite band

“The Stillwell Project”

The favor of your reply requested by September 15th, 2013

You are encouraged to send a note or picture for a memory album

Please make check payable to The Hurley Reformed Church

Reservations will be taken after worship.

PAGE 8 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7

Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of sim-

ple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan’s Purse works with local churches and min-istry partners to deliver the gifts and share the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ. We’ll have a lot more information for you in the com-ing weeks and lots of shoeboxes to fill. Our shoe-boxes have been donated and will be available for pickup after Sunday services starting in September. You can choose to designate your box for a boy or a girl from ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. With back to school sales, this is the perfect time to pick up school supplies such as pens, pencils and a sharpener, crayons or markers, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring & picture books. Other gift ideas are: hygiene items such as a toothbrush, comb, washcloth; toys such as small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, cards or a jump rope. Or perhaps you could knit a hat, socks or mittens. If you would prefer someone else do the shopping for you, just contact Sandie Gregory at 338-7626 or 389-1490 (we have a group of elves ready to go). Our shoeboxes will be placed on the Altar, November 10th. If you would like to place a shoebox in memory or in honor of a special child in your life or in honor of the child receiving the box, you can do so by filling out the attached form. Thank you in advance for this precious gift of Love.

Our shoeboxes will be placed on the Altar, November 10th. If you would like to place a shoebox in memory or in honor of a special child in your life or in honor of the child receiving the box, you can do so by filling out the attached form.

In memory of:________________________________________

In honor of:________________________________________

Given by:________________________________________

Please return this form and your shoebox or dona-tion to:

Sandie Gregory

P.O. Box 195

Hurley, N.Y. 12443

Prior to November 3rd, 2013

CLEAN UP DAY

Saturday, October 12, 2013

8:45 Coffee, Juice & Sweets

9:00 Work Assignments & Q&A

General Clean Up

Painting

Raking For more information see

Jim Pirro, Dennis Croswell or Dave Giles

Mark Conlin Golf Memorial Rondout Golf Course Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013

8am for breakfast; Tee Time 9:00am $95.00 per player includes: breakfast, 18

holes of golf with cart, beer & soda during play. In-cludes full dinner. Cash bar at dinner.

Contact Terry Conlin by Sept. 20. To benefit Mark’s children’s education

PAGE 9 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7

2013 This year's Stone House Day was a wonderful success. Despite a light rain on and off all day, we had a really good day and a good turn-out. We sold 576 tickets, which is the same as last year, but thanks to an increase in ticket and cafeteria prices, our gross income was $10,802.00. We had expenses, of course, like publicity and food etc., so our net income was approxi-mately $7,000. We gave out a $2 coupon with every adult ticket, which resulted in issuing 480 cou-pons of which 274 were re-deemed. The coupons that were not redeemed, 204, resulted in a pure profit. The cafeteria sales were $2,623 versus $2,140 in 2012. A very big thank you to all the people who worked so dili-gently all day Friday and all day Saturday. You did a wonderful job.

We had nine stone houses open this year, and two mini busses that took our visitors to the Paul's house on Hurley Mountain Road, and the Stone House Bed and Breakfast and Houghtaling House on Old Rt. 209. We are blessed with a lot of community support on this day, and we thank the home-owners and the volunteers for all their work. It is not just a great day for the Hurley Reformed Church, but for the community of Hurley in general.

Besides the open houses, we had a lot of other activities; "our" So-journer Truth performed two dif-ferent plays along with Hal Houck; Alma Strickland was Rechel in the "Rechel Dumont" story; Nancy Anderson played her violin for one hour at the Bevier House Porch; and Christine Wade, a local author, who read from her book, "7 Locks". You should all read it! (Amazon.com.) It is historical fiction and takes place right in this area in the 1770's and beyond, and gives a wonderful picture of what

Saugerties, Kingston and Hurley might have been back then. Lonnie Kulick played the or-gan in the Sanctuary and brought along a group of Seniors who also performed. We also had the Militia and a blacksmith, which adds an air of local colonial flavor, along with Children's Colonial Crafts, where we had about 60 children dipping candles and making "metal" candle holders and corn husk dolls. A new addition this year was an Art Show on the Parsonage lawn. And of course, last but not least, our Country Fair in the basement of the church, with "antiques" and jewelry, and the Bake Sale on the stage in Schadewald Hall, which made about $700 in all. We also had some food donations from Stewart's, Hanaford's and Adams, and thank them very much for giv-ing us a helping hand. Again, thank you to all our volun-teers. We'll see you on Stone House Day 2014.

Ellen Richards, Chairperson

Stone House Day Visitors Came

From Where????

The Spy House asks many Stone House Day guests to sign its book if they have

time. This year 261 (of 521 visitors counted) signed, giving their town and state or their country.

Venezuela (1), Ireland (3), England (1), and Japan (2) were represented. We also had sightseers from Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Colorado, and Flor-ida, and, of course, New York.

More New York visitors from out of the area signed than from nearby towns (but Saugerties was well rep-resented locally).

The Albany area had plurality of NYS signers because Debbie Decker took a call from the Times Union and

passed the reporter to one of the owners. The pa-per’s good article drew a lot of attention judging from the attendance.

Stone House Day offers something unique, interest-ing, and education. So thanks to so many who work hours, days, and weeks, it is really appreciated by at-tendees.

Annual HRC Golf Tournament

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013

Alapaha Golf Links

All levels of golf are welcome.

Contact Sonnie Howe

The Rev. Dr. Robert L. Gram, LCSW

Pastor

NON-PROFIT ORG.

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PO Box 328 11 Main Street

Hurley NY 12443

Phone: 845-331-4121 Fax: 845-331-4153

E-mail: admin@HurleyReformedChurch.org

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